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Cruise News for the Corporate Travel Professional

May 2011 Edition

To get something that you have never had before you have to do something you’ve never done before!

A lunch discussion with Steve and Diana Bloss and Lorraine Flacks, VP Charter & Incentive Sales Paul Gauguin Cruises (LF) , Michael Shapiro Cruise Director (MS) and more on the Paul Gauguin, and David Nordquist Director of Sales Incentives and Meetings for Air Tahiti Nui (DN), in the shadow of Bali Hi off the Island of Moorea April 15, 2011.

Steve to the table: As soon as you hear the word Tahiti people think that it is too far away and too expensive:

LF: Without even knowing the costs people tend to not even think of Tahiti because it is an exotic destination and too expensive.

MS: We are your best value for your dollar when compared to hotels here plus you have the ease of moving from Island to Island to have a complete Tahitian experience.

Image: Lorrain Flacks

DN: I don’t think most people even know where Tahiti is! We are closer than you think. We are a 7 hrs and 15 minutes away from LAX. From Chicago we are 5 time zones behind in Tahiti, from Chicago you are 7 hrs ahead in Barcelona and 8 hours ahead in Athens. So who is closer?

LF: Plus with a Paul Gauguin cruise the participants can leave on a Saturday and be back home the following Saturday from most North American           Image: David Norquist

gateways.

Steve to the table: When I have been to Tahiti it always has been for business, but even with clients, I find that my clients and myself all relax and it’s like popping a balloon. The tension goes away and you really appreciate what you are seeing and experiencing.

MS: Tahiti is like being on another planet, how do you top Tahiti?

LF: The owners are developing Marlin Brandon’s private island into the most exotic private island experience in the world and they are putting that same passion into the Paul Gauguin.

Image: Michael Shapiro

MS: One thing I would caution your clients on is over programming their groups or charters. I have seen time and time again how people really prefer to come here and relax versus a very hectic agenda.

Diana to DN: I have flown with you twice now and feel like my Tahiti experience starts when I get on your planes. The flower in my hair on boarding is a great way to start. The interiors are bright and fresh and the crews are young and friendly and the food is good even in economy.

DN: Being a government sponsored airline we not only sell the airline but our destination, Tahiti. When the airline started we knew at that time our passengers will be staying in up market products like the Paul Gauguin or in the Intercontinental hotels and now of course we have even more 5 Star Hotels in the area. The decision was made to make flying with us an up market product at any class of service to match our passengers.

Steve to LF and MS: The biggest news I have heard on this trip is really what is happening in your dry dock period in Jan 2012. While I was aware of the dry dock I had no idea of how extensive it was going to be and of all the interior up grades taking place. Thank you for showing us all of the design boards. It looks to me like the ship will have an entirely new interior.

MS and LF: I wish we could really say more but currently all plans are not finalized and the project is a BIG undertaking. But needless to say the ship will have a whole new feel when you come back in Feb. As you have seen the interior improvements are along the lines of a very Chic Boutique Hotel.

Check our newsletters for the final announcement!

Steve to LF and MS: How has the relationship with Intercontinental Hotels improved the Paul Gauguin product?

LF: We can now offer a seamless system of hotel nights, pre and post cruise, if desired. The most exciting one however is if you have a few VIPs that need to stay in an over the water bungalow in Bora Bora to check off their “wish” list we can arrange that one night during the cruise.

MS: Having the Intercontinental relationship also has given us access to using their properties for larger events ashore if needed in the case of a charter. It has also given us access to their years of purchasing experience locally in things like fresh fish, produce and flowers.

My final comment to you the readers:

A cruise on the Paul Gauguin is not as expensive as you might think! If you are considering a 5 Star Cruise anywhere in the world, even the Caribbean, you will be pleasantly surprised by the rates, including air. Your clients and their participants will get a program that far exceeds expectations. Just for an example girls and guys go home tonight and say to your other half do you want to go to Monaco, Athens and the Greek Islands or Tahiti. I rest my case!

Contact me if you want to know what else was discussed at the rest of the lunch at sbloss@cruiseco.com.

Thanks for reading this.

Steve

Worldwide Travel & Cruise Assoc., Inc.

150 S. University Dr.  Ste E, Plantation, FL 33324 - USA

Tel: +1 954 452 8800  Fax: +1 954 252 3945

EMail: sales@cruiseco.com

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